Background: Matrix metalloproteinase-8 (MMP-8) is involved in the breakdown of the extracellular matrix increasing the vulnerability of atherosclerotic lesions. We analysed the diagnostic value of serum MMP-8 and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-1 (TIMP-1) concentrations in acute coronary syndrome (ACS) and their prognostic value in ACS recurrence. Methods: The population comprised 343 patien

The relative complexity of the mechanisms underlying savanna ecosystem dynamics, in comparison to other biomes such as temperate and tropical forests, challenges the representation of such dynamics in ecosystem and Earth system models. A realistic representation of processes governing carbon allocation and phenology for the two defining elements of savanna vegetation (namely trees and grasses) may

Evolutionary divergence in the coloration of toxic prey is expected when geographic variation in predator composition and behavior favours shifts in prey conspicuousness. A fundamental prediction of predator-driven colour divergence is that the local coloration should experience lower predation risk than novel prey phenotypes. The dorsal coloration of the granular poison frog varies gradually from

In order to investigate the potential role of vegetation changes in megafaunal extinctions during the later part of the last glacial stage and early Holocene (42-10 ka BP), the palaeovegetation of northern Eurasia and Alaska was simulated using the LPJ-GUESS dynamic vegetation model. Palaeoclimatic driving data were derived from simulations made for 22 time slices using the Hadley Centre Unified M

We aimed to validate genetic variants as instruments for insulin resistance and secretion, to characterise their association with intermediate phenotypes, and to investigate their role in T2D risk among normal-weight, overweight and obese individuals.We investigated the association of genetic scores with euglycaemic-hyperinsulinaemic clamp- and OGTT-based measures of insulin resistance and secreti

Background: The utility of conventional prostate-specifi c antigen (PSA) measurements in blood for monitoring rapid responses to treatment for prostate cancer is limited because of its slow elimination rate. Prior studies have shown that free PSA (fPSA), intact PSA (iPSA) and human kallikrein-related peptidase 2 (hK2) are eliminated more rapidly after radical prostatectomy. In contrast, all three

Background: This study was performed to explore whether or not a neural reflex linking the esophagus and the nasal airway exists, as a pathogenic mechanism accounting for the association between gastroesophageal reflux (GER) disease and chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS). A prospective trial of healthy human volunteers was performed. Methods: Ten healthy volunteers without GER or sinonasal disease were

BACKGROUND The nature and underlying mechanisms of an inverse association between adult height and the risk of coronary artery disease (CAD) are unclear. METHODS We used a genetic approach to investigate the association between height and CAD, using 180 height-associated genetic variants. We tested the association between a change in genetically determined height of 1 SD (6.5 cm) with the risk of

In this work 80-picosecond laser pulses of 266-nm wavelength with intensities up to (2.0 +/- A 0.5) x 10(11) W/cm(2) were used for fragmentation of methane/air gas mixtures at ambient pressure and temperature. Emission spectra are, for the first time, studied with ultrahigh temporal resolution using a streak camera. Fluorescence spectra from CH(A(2)Delta-(XI)-I-2 , (BI)-I-2 (-)-(XI)-I-2 pound , (C

Context:Patients with hypopituitarism have an increased standardized mortality rate. The basis for this has not been fully clarified.Objective:To investigate in detail the cause of death in a large cohort of patients with hypopituitarism subjected to long-term follow-up.Design and Methods:All-cause and cause-specific mortality in 1286 Swedish patients with hypopituitarism prospectively monitored i

We investigate in detail the optical anisotropy of absorption of linearly polarized light in InAs/GaSb quantum wells grown on GaSb along the [001] direction, which can be used as an active region of different laser structures. The energy level positions, the wave functions, the optical matrix elements, and the absorption coefficients are calculated using the eight-band k center dot p model and the

The results of a search for top squark (stop) pair production in final states with one isolated lepton, jets, and missing transverse momentum are reported. The analysis is performed with proton-proton collision data at root s = 8 TeV collected with the ATLAS detector at the LHC in 2012 corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 20 fb(-1). The lightest supersymmetric particle (LSP) is taken to be

Accurate modelling of the carbon cycle strongly depends on the parametrization of its underlying processes. The Carbon Cycle Data Assimilation System (CCDAS) can be used as an estimator algorithm to derive posterior parameter values and uncertainties for the Biosphere Energy Transfer and Hydrology scheme (BETHY). However, the simultaneous optimization of all process parameters can be challenging,

Boronate affinity gel was prepared by immobilizing azide-functionalized boronic acid on alkyne-modified Sepharose. Different azide-functionalized boronic acids were synthesized from 2-, 3-, and 4-aminophenylboronic acids. One of the azide-functionalized boronic acids, 3BII, displayed weak and unexpected fluorescence emission. Using Cu(I)-catalyzed 1,3-dipolar azide-alkyne cycloaddition (CuAAC) rea

Two-photon laser-induced fluorescence for detection of carbon monoxide (CO) frequently shows interferences by emission from photolytically produced C-2 radicals encountered under fuel-rich combustion conditions. Reduced C-2 interference for excitation with laser pulses in the picosecond regime is here demonstrated by comparison with excitation using nanosecond pulses for measurements in laminar pr

The chain-forming dinoflagellate Gymnodinium catenatum Graham is responsible for outbreaks of paralytic shellfish poisoning (PSP), a human health threat in coastal waters. Sexuality in this species is of great importance in its bloom dynamics, and has been shown to be very complex but lacks an explanation. For this reason, we tested if unreported homothallic behavior and rapid genetic changes may

Studies of heritable colour polymorphisms allow investigators to track the genetic dynamics of natural populations. By comparing polymorphic populations over large geographic areas and across generations, issues about both morph stability and evolutionary dynamics can be addressed, increasing our understanding of the potential mechanisms maintaining genetic polymorphisms. In the present study, we

Wood specimens to each of which alaminate of carbon fibre reinforcement polymers(FRP) was glued (creating a lap joint in each case)were loaded to failure. A total of 15 specimens ofthree types differing in the glued length (anchoragelength) of the FRP laminate (50, 150 and 250 mmrespectively) were tested, their strength, stiffness andstrain distribution being evaluated. Synchronizeddigital cameras

Aim This paper describes a set of integrative scenarios developed in the ALARM (Assessing LArge-scale environmental Risks for biodiversity with tested Methods) project. The ultimate aim of ALARM was to develop and test methods and protocols for the assessment of large-scale environmental risks to biodiversity and to evaluate mitigation options. Scenarios provide a tool for exploring such risks and

A Geant4-based Python/C++ simulation and coding framework, which has been developed and used in order to aid the R&D efforts for thermal neutron detectors at neutron scattering facilities, is described. Built upon configurable geometry and generator modules, it integrates a general purpose object oriented output file format with meta-data, developed to facilitate a faster turn-around time when